Woody Allen’s quaint, quirky movie “Annie Corridor” incited one of many nice controversies in Oscar historical past when it captured the Academy Award for Finest Image over progressive blockbuster and American cultural landmark “Star Wars” on this present day in historical past, April 3, 1978.
The Hollywood hullabaloo has grown solely higher within the a long time since.
“‘Annie Corridor’ incorporates extra mental wit and cultural references than some other film ever to win the Oscar for finest image,” celebrated late film critic Roger Ebert wrote in 2002.
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However even he referred to as the “Star Wars” snub “an end result unthinkable immediately.”
“Annie Corridor” was a industrial hit in addition to a crucial success, netting $44 million on the field workplace.
It helped make Allen one of the crucial profitable filmmakers and actors of his period.
“Star Wars” (aka “Episode IV-A New Hope”) foyer card, with three of probably the most well-known characters in film historical past. From left, Luke Skywalker (performed by Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) (LMPC through Getty Photos)
The unique “Star Wars” (now higher often known as “Star Wars Episode IV-A New Hope”) garnered $776 million from filmgoers and impressed a franchise of eight different movies (and rising) that has generated over $10 billion in gross sales.
However the George Lucas story from “a very long time in the past and a galaxy far, far-off” was greater than only a box-office blockbuster.
“‘Star Wars’ faucets the pulp fantasies buried in our reminiscences, and since it is carried out so brilliantly, it reactivates outdated thrills, fears and exhilarations.” — Roger Ebert
“Star Wars” has grown into a world cultural leviathan far past the confines of the silver display. It is maybe extra common immediately, almost half a century later, than when it first hit theaters in 1977.
“The case for ‘Star Wars’ successful is well-known by now. It’s with out query one of the crucial influential movies ever launched, and nearly each director working within the realm of studio blockbusters cites it as a purpose they broke into the occupation,” Chris Agar wrote for ScreenRant.com in a 2017 retrospective of the Oscar controversy.
“Annie Corridor” foyer card, Diane Keaton, Woody Allen, 1977. The film received the 1978 Oscar for Finest Image, whereas Keaton received for Finest Actress. (LMPC through Getty Photos)
“Even within the movie’s quick aftermath, it was inspiring aspiring helmsman; James Cameron give up his job as a truck driver after seeing ‘Star Wars’ to work in motion pictures. It is simple to see why ‘Star Wars’ landed with this sort of impression — it represents the top of film magic.”
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In distinction to the “pinnacle” of filmmaking, “Annie Corridor” is Allen’s rom-com story through which he performs a neurotic New York Metropolis comic reflecting on his personal insecurities and loves misplaced, most notably his failed relationship with the title character performed by Diane Keaton.
Ebert’s authentic evaluations of the movies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions in 1977 betray what will need to have been his personal shock on the Finest Image nod for “Annie Corridor.”
He enthuses breathlessly over “Star Wars” whereas providing solely gentlemanly reward for Allen’s storytelling.
Followers attend the panel for “Star Wars: The Dangerous Batch” sequence at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California, on Could 29, 2022. (Jesse Grant/Getty Photos for Disney)
“Each occasionally I’ve what I consider as an out-of-the-body expertise at a film,” Ebert wrote of “Star Wars” and its timeless story of unwitting insurgent Luke Skywalker and evil darkish lord Darth Vader.
“The film’s occurring, and it is occurring to me.”
“‘Annie Corridor’ was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and received 4: ‘Star Wars’ was nominated for 11 Oscars and received six.”
He added, “‘Star Wars’ faucets the pulp fantasies buried in our reminiscences, and since it is carried out so brilliantly, it reactivates outdated thrills, fears and exhilarations we thought we would deserted after we learn our final copy of ‘Superb Tales.’”
He wrote solely tepidly of “Annie Corridor” in 1977.
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“‘Annie Corridor’ is a comedy, sure, and there are moments in it as humorous as something Woody has carried out,” wrote Ebert, “however the film represents a development on Allen’s half … into a way more considerate and (is it attainable?) extra mature director.”
Diane Keaton makes her acceptance speech after she received the Oscar for Finest Efficiency by an Actress in a Main Function on the fiftieth Annual Academy Awards presentation in Los Angeles on April 3, 1978. (Getty Photos)
“Annie Corridor” actually boasted an A-list forged.
Along with Allen and Keaton, it starred Shelly Duvall, Christopher Walken and singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Writer Truman Capote had a cameo position, whereas stars of the longer term Jeff Goldblum, Beverly D’Angelo and Sigourney Weaver additionally appeared within the movie.
“Annie Corridor” was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and received 4: Along with Finest Image honors, Allen earned Oscars for Finest Director and Finest Authentic screenplay, whereas Keaton took dwelling Finest Actress honors.
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“Star Wars” earned much more love from the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences in its awards for 1977 filmmaking.
“With ‘Star Wars,’ the age of the blockbuster was upon us.” — Roger Ebert
It was nominated for 11 Oscars and received six, greater than some other movie that 12 months: Finest Artwork Course, Costume Design, Enhancing, Visible Results, Sound and, maybe most famously, Authentic Rating for the triumphal soundtrack by composer John Williams.
The cache of {hardware} makes the unique “Star Wars” one of the crucial profitable movies within the historical past of the Academy Awards.
Star Wars, poster (aka: EPISODE IV-A NEW HOPE). Within the rear: Darth Vader. Within the foreground, from left, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, C-3PO, R2-D2. Poster artwork, 1977. (MPC through Getty Photos)
However the snub for Finest Image is the one which inflames the passions of many “Star Wars” lovers nonetheless to this present day.
Whatever the awards, “Star Wars” modified the way forward for filmmaking.
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“The victory (by ‘Annie Corridor’) marked the start of Woody Allen’s profession as an vital filmmaker (his earlier work was humorous however slight) and it signaled the top of the Seventies golden age of American motion pictures,” Ebert wrote in 2002.
“With ‘Star Wars,’ the age of the blockbuster was upon us,” Ebert additionally wrote.
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